Jaipur: Cyclonic storm `Laila`, which battered coastal Tamil Nadu, may however turn out to be a boon in disguise for people in Rajasthan as it is expected to bring down the mercury by a few notches, giving respite to the citizens from the ongoing heatwave.

"There will be no adverse effect of cyclone Laila in the
desert state, but mercury will slip by several notches for the
next couple of days as it will bring moisture," state IMD
director S S Singh told PTI.

Already moisture has been formed in eastern districts of
Rajasthan mainly Jhalawar, Baran and Kota (Hadauti), he said.

In the last couple of days, mercury fell slightly due to
passing of a western disturbance but it did not give any
respite to people as the maximum in several areas continued to
hover above the 40-degree mark.

North-West monsoon would probably hit the state by June
18, the usual date of arrival, Singh said.

Jaipur today recorded a maximum temperature of 43.7
degree Celsius, while the mercury dipped to near 40 C in
Hanumangarh and Sriganganagar due to the disturbance, he said.